TABLE 1.
Theory-Based Curriculum and Target Outcomes of MAALES
| Session Activities | Applied Theory | Target Outcome |
| Session 1: Fihankra symbol (safe enclosure) | ||
| Introduction of MAALES program. | ||
| Introduction of group members, facilitators and staff; cultural elements include Fihankra group, Ashe affirmation circle, and so on. | CTCA Empowerment theory | Increase racial and cultural pride. |
| Discussion: what does it mean to be an African American man in America? Includes critical review of music lyrics, survey of realness, masculinity, and so on. | CTCA Empowerment theory | Increase racial and cultural pride. |
| Discussion: past contributions, moving forward. | CTCA Empowerment theory | Increase racial and cultural pride. |
| Session 2: Sankofa bird (examining the past) | ||
| Discussion: HIV in African American communities. Includes challenging myths. | TRA/TRP Empowerment theory | Decrease risky sexual behaviors. |
| Discussion: preserving African American identity and manhood. Includes challenging images and stereotypes. | CTCA Empowerment theory | Decrease risky sexual behaviors. Decrease drug and alcohol use with sexual intercourse. Increase racial and cultural pride. |
| Discussion: assessment of personal risk. Includes personal risk survey, case vignette of African American MSMWs with multiple HIV risk factors, and so on. | TRA/TRP CTCA Empowerment theory | Decrease risky sexual behaviors. Decrease drug and alcohol use with sexual intercourse. |
| Discussion: preserving personal and community health. | TRA/TRP CTCA Empowerment theory | Decrease risky sexual behaviors. Decrease drug and alcohol use with sexual intercourse. Increase racial and cultural pride. |
| Session 3: Bu Wo Ho (respect yourself) | ||
| Discussion: reasons for preserving health. Includes video clip. | CTCA Empowerment theory | Increase racial and cultural pride. |
| Discussion: health disparities. Includes genograms to identity familial health risks and those who may be supportive and collectivism. | TRA/TRP CTCA Empowerment theory | Decrease risky sexual behaviors. Decrease drug and alcohol use with sexual intercourse. Increase racial and cultural pride. |
| Discussion: safer-sex tools. Includes condom and lubricant options, condom and penis model, and so on. | TRA/TRP Empowerment theory | Decrease risky sexual behaviors. Decrease drug and alcohol use with sexual intercourse. |
| Discussion: communication about safer sex. Includes barriers; “why, you, and if–then” statements; “I” statements; individualism vs collectivism; and so on. | TRA/TRP CTCA Empowerment theory | Decrease risky sexual behaviors. Decrease drug and alcohol use with sexual intercourse. Increase racial and cultural pride. |
| Session 4: Wawa Aba (overcoming barriers) | ||
| Discussion: safer-sex options. Includes creating a safer-sex menu. | TRA/TRP CTCA Empowerment theory | Decrease risky sexual behaviors. Decrease drug and alcohol use with sexual intercourse. |
| Discussion: specific measureable action-oriented realistic and timely (SMART) goals; realistic and personal goals to improve health. | TRA/TRP CTCA Empowerment theory | Decrease risky sexual behaviors. Decrease drug and alcohol use with sexual intercourse. |
| Discussion: HIV testing. | TRA/TRP Empowerment theory | Decrease risky sexual behaviors. Decrease drug and alcohol use with sexual intercourse. |
| Discussion: sexually transmitted diseases. | TRA/TRP Empowerment theory | Decrease risky sexual behaviors. Decrease drug and alcohol use with sexual intercourse. |
| Session 5: Akoko Nan (protect; love through discipline) | ||
| Discussion: revisiting SMART goals. Includes addressing personal goals and overcoming sociocultural barriers to improve health. | TRA/TRP CTCA Empowerment theory | Decrease risky sexual behaviors. Decrease drug and alcohol use with sexual intercourse. |
| Discussion: critical thought for making choices. Includes the stop, think, outline options and plan (STOP) technique, applying STOP for high-risk heterosexual and bisexual situation, illustrated with contemporary video clips. | TRA/TRP CTCA Empowerment theory | Decrease risky sexual behaviors. Decrease drug and alcohol use with sexual intercourse. Increase racial and cultural pride. |
| Discussion: alcohol and substance abuse. Includes case study. | TRA/TRP CTCA Empowerment theory | Decrease risky sexual behaviors. Decrease drug and alcohol use with sexual intercourse. |
| Discussion: cultural affirmation for safer sex. Includes Adinkra symbols. | TRA/TRP CTCA Empowerment theory | Decrease risky sexual behaviors. Decrease drug and alcohol use with sexual intercourse. Increase racial and cultural pride. |
| Session 6: Ohene (foresight and wisdom) | ||
| Discussion: revisiting SMART goals. Includes progress and commitment toward achieving personal goals. | TRA/TRP CTCA Empowerment theory | Decrease risky sexual behaviors. Decrease drug and alcohol use with sexual intercourse. |
| Discussion: planning. Includes outlining options for sexual and general health. | TRA/TRP CTCA Empowerment theory | Decrease risky sexual behaviors. Decrease drug and alcohol use with sexual intercourse. Increase racial and cultural pride. |
| Discussion: condom review. Includes reviewing skills, sharing knowledge about condoms and lubricants, and so on. | TRA/TRP Empowerment theory | Decrease risky sexual behaviors. Decrease drug and alcohol use with sexual intercourse. |
| Discussion: synthesis. Includes reviewing and implementing ways to achieve individual and community sexual and general health. | TRA/TRP CTCA Empowerment theory | Decrease risky sexual behaviors. Decrease drug and alcohol use with sexual intercourse. Increase racial and cultural pride. |
Note. MAALES=Men of African American Legacy Empowering Self; CTCA=critical thinking and cultural affirmation; TRA/TRP=theory of reasoned action and planned behavior; MSMW=men who have sex with men and women.